Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Get ready for an epic, flavor-packed adventure with these Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches! We’re about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise, where ordinary meets the extraordinary. This recipe is an absolute INSANE smash hit that’s going to have your taste buds dancing with joy. Warning: This dish causes serious food jealousy, so get ready to be the talk of the town. Life gave us the ingredients, and I’m about to show you how to make them LEGENDARY!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
These Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches are the ultimate in comfort food meets flavor explosion. The tender, juicy pulled pork is infused with the irresistible flavors of apple cider, smoky barbecue, and a hint of spice, making it truly sensational. The combination of the succulent meat, tangy slaw, and soft buns creates a thrilling, mouth-watering experience that will leave you craving more. This recipe is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky, with an incredible depth of flavor that will have your guests begging for the recipe. Prepare to be the star of the show when you serve up these incredible, epic sandwiches that are sure to be the talk of the town. Get ready to devour these insane, legendary creations and leave your guests in awe of your culinary prowess!
Ingredients
To create these explosive, flavor-packed Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, you’ll need a few key ingredients: boneless pork shoulder, apple cider, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, garlic, onion, spices, and soft buns. This epic combination of flavors and textures is guaranteed to take your taste buds on a thrilling, mouth-watering adventure. Get ready to transform ordinary ingredients into something truly LEGENDARY!
- 4-5 lbs – Boneless Pork Shoulder
- 2 cups – Apple Cider
- 1 cup – Barbecue Sauce
- 1/4 cup – Brown Sugar
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1 medium – Onion, diced
- 2 tsp – Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp – Chili Powder
- 1 tsp – Cumin
- 1 tsp – Salt
- 8-10 – Soft Burger Buns
Ingredient Substitutions
- Pork Shoulder: You can substitute pork butt or chicken thighs for a delicious twist on this recipe. The cooking times may vary slightly depending on the cut of meat you choose.
- Barbecue Sauce: Feel free to experiment with different barbecue sauces or even make your own homemade version to really make this recipe your own.
How to Make Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
To get started, we’ll need to prepare our ingredients for the ultimate flavor explosion. First, season the pork shoulder with a mixture of brown sugar, garlic, onion, and spices to create a delicious rub. This will infuse the meat with an incredible depth of flavor that will have your guests begging for more. Next, we’ll sear the pork in a hot pan to lock in all those amazing juices and caramelized flavors.
Step 1: Prep Work
To get started, we’ll need to prepare our ingredients for the ultimate flavor explosion. First, season the pork shoulder with a mixture of brown sugar, garlic, onion, and spices to create a delicious rub. This will infuse the meat with an incredible depth of flavor that will have your guests begging for more. Next, we’ll sear the pork in a hot pan to lock in all those amazing juices and caramelized flavors.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Now, it’s time to let the magic happen! We’ll transfer the seared pork shoulder to a slow cooker and pour in the apple cider, which will create a sensational, aromatic liquid that will tenderize the meat to perfection. Let this incredible mixture simmer away for hours, filling your kitchen with the most mouth-watering scents. As the pork becomes fall-off-the-bone tender, we’ll shred it into delectable, juicy strands.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Now for the grand finale! We’ll toss the pulled pork with a generous amount of our epic, homemade barbecue sauce, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. To assemble the sandwiches, we’ll pile the saucy, shredded pork onto soft, pillowy buns and top it with a tangy, crunchy slaw. Get ready for an explosion of textures and tastes that will have your guests completely in awe.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
For an extra touch of deliciousness, you can add some thinly sliced pickles or onions to the sandwiches for a bright, acidic contrast that will take these Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches to the next level. Serve them up hot and watch as your guests devour these insane, legendary creations!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the rub for a spicier twist.
- Smoky Flavor: Try using smoked paprika or even liquid smoke in the barbecue sauce for a delicious, smoky flavor.
- Bun Swap: Use pretzel rolls or cornbread for a unique twist on the classic sandwich bun.
- Serving Variations: Serve the pulled pork over a bed of creamy, cheesy grits or on top of crispy fries for an epic, flavor-packed meal.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: tangy coleslaw, crispy fries, or a fresh salad.
Storage: Leftover pulled pork can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Reheat the pulled pork in a skillet or the microwave before assembling fresh sandwiches.
Make-Ahead: The pulled pork can be made in advance and frozen for easy meal-prep.
Nutrition Information
These Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches are a hearty, satisfying meal that packs a nutritional punch. Each serving provides a solid source of protein from the pork, as well as carbohydrates from the buns and fiber from the slaw. The apple cider and barbecue sauce add a touch of natural sweetness, while the spices and herbs provide a range of beneficial antioxidants.
- Serving Size: 1 Sandwich
- Calories: 515 kcal
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbs: 47 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of pork besides shoulder?
Absolutely! While pork shoulder is the classic choice for pulled pork, you can also use pork butt or even chicken thighs for a delicious twist on this recipe. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the cut of meat you choose.
Can I make the pulled pork in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker?
Definitely! To make these Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, simply sear the pork as directed, then add the apple cider and cook on high pressure for 60-75 minutes. This will result in incredibly tender, flavorful pulled pork in a fraction of the time.
What if I don’t have time to slow cook the pork?
No problem! You can also bake the pork shoulder in the oven at 325°F for 3-4 hours, or until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender. Just be sure to baste it regularly with the apple cider mixture to keep it moist and flavorful.
Can I make the pulled pork ahead of time?
Absolutely! The pulled pork freezes beautifully, so you can make it in advance and reheat it when you’re ready to assemble the sandwiches. Just be sure to let it thaw completely before reheating and tossing it with the barbecue sauce.
What should I serve with these sandwiches?
These Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches are the star of the show, but they pair perfectly with a variety of sides. Try serving them with creamy coleslaw, crispy fries, or a fresh, crunchy salad for a complete, flavor-packed meal that will have your guests raving.
Try These Next
- Smoky Bbq Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Smoky Bbq Pulled Pork Sliders With Maple Mustard Sauce
- Bbq Bourbon Pulled Pork Sliders
Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Total Time: 495 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches are a delicious twist on a classic favorite! Slow-cooked pork is infused with sweet apple cider and tangy BBQ sauce for a perfect blend of flavors. Serve them on soft buns for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
2 lbs pork shoulder
1 cup apple cider
1 cup BBQ sauce
1 onion, sliced
4 hamburger buns
Salt and pepper to taste
Coleslaw (optional)
Pickles (optional)
Instructions
1. 1. Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper on all sides.
2. 2. Place the sliced onion at the bottom of a slow cooker.
3. 3. Place the pork shoulder on top of the onions.
4. 4. Pour the apple cider and BBQ sauce over the pork.
5. 5. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
6. 6. Once cooked, shred the pork with two forks.
7. 7. Stir the shredded pork into the sauce in the slow cooker.
8. 8. Serve on hamburger buns with coleslaw and pickles if desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the pork in apple cider overnight before cooking.
You can adjust the sweetness of the BBQ sauce to your taste.
These sandwiches pair well with potato chips or a side salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 480 minutes
- Category: 🍖 SMOKE HOUSE
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg